Fulham has hired former manager Ray Wilkins as the Cottagers new assistant head coach.
“I am delighted that the chairman and the CEO have, again, backed my desire for further experience and support within the backroom staff,” manager Rene Meulensteen said.
“Retaining our status of being a Barclays Premier League club next season is vitally important to our long-term plans, and I know that Ray’s own experience and his knowledge of the game will be a vital component in our success.”
The acquisition of Wilkins is the latest high profile move that new owner Shahid Khan has made over the last two months.
First, Khan introduced Meulensteen as head coach under Martin Jol and, once Jol was fired, as manager.
Then last week the American businessman brought in former Charlton and West Ham manager Alan Curbishley as first team technical director. Now, he’s padded his staff of notable professionals even further by adding Wilkins, who managed the club between 1997 and 1998 when it was in the third tier.
The 57-year-old Wilkins began his managing career at QPR as a player-manager from 1994 and 1996 and later had spells as assistant manager at both Millwall and Chelsea, where he last coached until November 2010. Wilkins has since worked as a television pundit.
With Meulensteen, Curbishley and Wilkins now in tote, Khan will hope his side can turn around what has been a disappointing first half of the season. Despite notable talent throughout the squad, the Cottagers have failed to find their rhythm and currently sit 18th following the 6-0 hammering at Hull City.
Fulham will look to find their way out of the drop zone on Wednesday when they host West Ham United at 10:00am ET on NBC’s Live Extra.
